The horizon of Telugu cinema expands with unprecedented ambition in 2024, as the industry rolls out an array of big-budget blockbusters featuring some of the biggest names in the pantheon of stars. Among the hotly anticipated titles are the high-octane sequel to Pushpa by director Sukumar, starring Allu Arjun, and the sci-fi extravaganza Kalki 2898 AD, a Nag Ashwin directorial with Prabhas at the helm. These titles are poised to make a significant splash at the national box office, alongside Game Changer by Shankar with Ram Charan in the lead, NTR’s Devara under Koratala Shiva’s direction, and Sujeeth’s crime drama OG with Pawan Kalyan.
As the harvest season rolls in, mid-January’s Sankranti cine feast will unfold with four massive releases. The festivities commence with Mahesh Babu’s Guntur Kaaram by Trivikram Srinivas and HanuMan, a superhero venture from Prasanth Varma, both hitting theaters on January 12. Sankranti, a cherished time for film releases, resonates with cultural customs that marry the joy of the harvest with the communal pleasure of movie-going. Joining the fray are Sailesh Kolanu’s thriller Saindhav featuring Venkatesh and Karthik Gattamaneni’s Eagle starring Ravi Teja, as well as Akkineni Nagarjuna’s countryside caper Naa Saami Ranga, cascading into the Sankranti mix on subsequent days.
Wading into February, the silver screen will greet audiences with comedy DJ Tillu’s sequel, Tillu Square, Vishwak Sen’s Gangs of Godavari, and the Varun Tej-fronted Operation Valentine. Though Vijay Deverakonda’s Family Star, originally slated for a Sankranti debut, postponed its release, fans eagerly await its rescheduled premiere.
The industry buzzes with the sounds of production as several high-profile projects are in various stages of development. These include Prashanth Neel’s untitled film starring NTR, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit pairing with Prabhas, a collaboration between SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu, a Trivikram Srinivas-directed venture featuring Allu Arjun, Chiranjeevi’s mythical 156th film directed by Vasshista, and an upcoming action flick with Nandamuri Balakrishna helmed by Bobby for his 109th cinematic outing.
G2, the sequel to the espionage hit Goodachari, reunites Adivi Sesh and Banita Sandhu under Vinay Kumar Sirigineedi’s direction. The cinematographer-turned-director Shaneil Deo, known for his stellar work in Kshanam and Goodachari, is set to present his first film Dacoit, starring Adivi Sesh and Shruti Haasan, produced by Surpriya Yarlagadda.
While these blockbusters dominate the marquee, audiences can also expect delightful surprises from new and emerging voices in the Telugu film backdrop.
Some of the year’s most significant releases include Guntur Kaaram with Mahesh Babu, Pushpa: The Rule spearheaded by Allu Arjun, OG featuring Pawan Kalyan as a gangster, and the politically-charged Game Changer led by Ram Charan. April introduces fans to Devara with NTR’s powerful portrayal and Janhvi Kapoor’s Telugu debut.
Continuing the wave of excitement, Thandel with Naga Chaitanya Akkineni, helmed by Chandoo Mondeti, and the high-stakes drama Saripodha Sanivaaram directed by Vivek Athreya and starring Nani, are also films to watch out for.
As 2024 unfolds, Telugu cinema promises a rich tapestry of narrative adventures and cinematic spectacle. The fans look forward to immersing themselves in storytelling that spans genres and galvanizes the spirit of innovation and grandeur that typifies the industry’s creative essence.
